Solid-state Relays Breakdown Prevention: High Density or Gang Mounting. What is the relationship between the load current and the ambient temperature rating?

Load Current Vs. Ambient Temperature Rating Characteristic

The relationship between the load current and the ambient temperature rating is a characteristic of Solid-state Relays. It describes the amount of load current required for operating Solid-state Relays in relation to the ambient temperature measured at the specified ambient temperature measuring position during mounting and operation of the Solid-state Relays, including any self-generated heat.

Note:

1. It takes approximately 60 minutes for the heat generated from the Solid-state Relays to reach its saturation point.

2. Use actual summer temperatures as the ambient temperature.

Continued use of an Solid-state Relays at a level that exceeds the load current vs. ambient temperature rating will lead to the deterioration or breakdown of the Solid-state Relays.

Reducing Load Current When Mounting

Reducing the load current may be required for high-density or gang mounting for some Solid-state Relays.

Example: Load Current Vs. Ambient Temperature Rating for High-density or Gang-mounted G3PA-220B-VD Solid-state Relays.

For G3PA the following conditions apply when using high-density or gang mounting.

1. Up to 3 Relays can be mounted together. If mounting more than 4 Relays, they must be separated by a gap of at least 10 mm.

2. When using high-density or gang mounting, the load current must be reduced by 10%.

3. Solid-state Relays must be separated by at least 80 mm above and below each other.

Note: The above conditions will depend on the Solid-state Relays.

The solid line in the graph shows the load current vs. Solid-state Relays ambient temperature rating for vertical-mounted G3PA-220B-VD.

For high-density or gang mounting, the load current must be reduced by 10% as shown by the broken line.

When using high-density or gang mounting and the load current is 15 A, draw a horizontal line at 15 A. Where it crosses with the broken line, draw a perpendicular line downwards. (Shown as the blue arrow on the graph.) By doing this, you can see that the ambient temperature must not exceed 50°C.

Therefore, when using high-density or gang mounting, if the ambient temperature is 50°C, the load current must be kept below 15 A.